Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-20
r. g. Huston 10 our authorised travelling
agent, and receipts given by him for
moneys duo the Miner Publishing Company
will DO duly honored.
COMING ROADS AND CONSEQUENCES.

The promised early construction OF the
Butte & Bozeman Railroad will place this
city on the main line of the Northern Pa
had under consideration the construction
Of a road from Garrison to Butte, and by
the time Of the completion of the branch
from Gallatin to Boulder the projected
line from Butte to the junction of the
Montana Union with the Northern Pacific
will undoubtedly be under way. We take
it that the Montana Union will eventually
become a part and parcel OF n of the
two roads which now jointly own and
operate it. II it be absorbed by the North
ern Pacific the construction of another
line will be rendered unnecessary. Should
the Union Pacific assume the management.
then the continuation OF the Northern Pa
cifc line to Garrison may be regarded as
certain.
The reasons Tor the construction OF the
latter route are obvious. That it was q
mistake to build the main line of the
Northern Pacific via Helena, involving a
detour of over one hun0red miles from a
direct line, the expense OF constructing the
Mullan tunnel and the additional cost
connected with crossing the range with
heavy trains, we do not think the
officials of the road will to-day
deny. But the business of Butte has
since assumed such magnitude, and it's im-
ports and exports have so increased in
volume As to induce the Northern Pacific
to have direct connection with the camp.
It is reasonable, therefore. to assume that
with the completion Of the branch from the
quantity of Butte trade which the Northern
Pacific will control will be more than
q~uardruple what it now secures.
-
With the completion here Of the Northern
Pacific, the Montana Central giving US
direct connection with the Canadian
Paciic) and the already completed line
different aspect. The three great trans
continental lines will be competitive bid. /
ders for the trade OF Butte. Their sepa<
rate interests will create a rivalry which |
cannot fail to benefit shippers, the rates
for passenger traffic will also be lowered, /
the cost OF living reduced, capital will have
less hesitancy in investing in our mines, |
and properties now idle because ofexcessive
milling charges caused by high rates of
transportation on fuel, etc., can be worked
at q profit. Great as the mineral wealth
OF Butte is known and acknowledged to be.
her inexhaustible mines are but in the
infancy OF comparative development, and
the coming of rival roads will be the
dawn of a new and prosperous era,
greater than the most sanguine OF Butte's
well.wishers have ventured to ~prophesy.
Butte will not alone be benefited by the |
construction of these roads. The valuable |
coal fields Of Gallatin County will be placed
in direct connection with the mills and |
smelters Of Western Montana; the agricultu-
raj products OF GallatinValley will find ready
sale and be in constant demand in the
mining districts; the great coal deposits OF
the Sand Coulee country will be developed
and their output, with that Of Gallatin
County, be q direct solution of the fuel
problem. The practical development of
these industries, with Others that will
spring up. will give employment to hum
dreds OF men. Montana's population and
wealth and precious metal output will be
increased. Her agricultural and stock in.
dustries will enlarge in extent and in value
Her business will be enhanced An hundred
fold, and the outlook for the future is full
promise.